NEW: More charges expected against suspects in police chase

2014-05-21T18:36:27Z

POCAHONTAS, AR (KAIT) - Police are adding more charges to two men who are accused of leading officers on a high speed chase through three counties, according to Sgt. Trey Hare with the Pocahontas Police Department.

Hare said Shawn Williams will officially be charged Wednesday with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after officers executed a search warrant at Williams' home in Pocahontas. Hare said officers found drugs after Monday's chase.

Williams and Russel Cox will appear in court for a bond hearing Wednesday in Pocahontas District Court.

Two police officers were put in the hospital after they crashed on Old County Road south of the Pocahontas City Limits. Both officers were released from the hospital.

Williams and his passenger, Cox, are in the Randolph County Jail.

The Randolph County Sheriff's Department tells Region 8 News this all began when a deputy pulled Williams over, who then took off.

The pursuit was called in around 1:20 p.m. Monday.

It started just off of Highway 62 within Pocahontas city limits but ended nearly 33 miles near Evening Star. Police say that's where the suspects ditched the vehicle and then took off on foot.

Cox turned himself into the Randolph County Sheriff's Department shortly after that.

It wasn't until nearly five hours after the chase started, Williams was apprehended in a farm field south of Delaplaine by Arkansas State Police and a K9 unit with the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Though multiple agencies assisted with the pursuit and apprehension, one of the initial departments to assist was the Pocahontas Police Department.

Police Chief Cecil Tackett and Lt. Jesse Luffman were following the deputy who pulled Williams over on Old County Road. During that time, Tackett lost control of his police unit, a Chevy Tahoe, and flipped it in a farm field.

Tackett told this to Region 8 News when he returned to the scene, right after he was released from the hospital.

Tackett has multiple stitches in his hand and said he will be sore for awhile but is otherwise okay.

Lt. Luffman's injuries were minor. He too returned to the scene after being released from the hospital, but quickly left to continue searching for Williams.

Randolph County Sheriff Gary Tribble told Region 8 News that the suspects did throw drugs from the vehicle during the pursuit. They were recovered by the Pocahontas Police Department but what was recovered is still under investigation.

Sheriff Tribble said Williams will face multiple felonies. The extent of Cox's charges are pending.

Multiple departments assisted throughout the chase and apprehension including the Randolph County Sheriff's Department, Pocahontas Police Department, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

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